Stalk-chopper



N0. 6i6,l]93 Patented Dec. 20, I898;

. A. L. FAIREY.

STALK CHOPPER.

(Application filed Feb. 26, 1898.) No Model.)

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ARTHUR L. FAIREY, OF ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA.

STALK-CHOPPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 616,093, dated December 20, 1898. 7 Application filed February 26, 1898. Serial No. 671,801. (No model.)

To all whom it mag/concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR L. FAIREY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Orangeburg, in the county of Orangeburg and State of South Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stalk-Choppers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to stalk-choppers; and the objects thereof are to so construct the same that it will be simple, durable, efficient, easily manipulated, and cheaply manufactured.

With these and other objects in view my invention consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and in the various details thereof, as will be first fully pointed out in the specification and then claimed.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like symbols of reference represent corresponding parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a plan View of my invention in its operative position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation with one of the wheels omitted, and Fig. 3 a sectional rear view of the device. A represents the cutting-roller of the device, composed of the two side pieces a a, cuttingblades 1), and shaft 0.

B is an arched axle, upon which are journaled the main carrying-wheels B of themachine.

O are hangers or metallic straps bolted or otherwise suitably attached at each side of the arched axle and forming bearings for the shaft 0 of the cutter, said shaft having full play within the journals.

D are downwardly-projecting brackets or straps embracing the hangers C at their lower portion and being attached at their upper ends to the cross-pieces of the frame, the purpose of the same being to reinforce or brace the hangers or journals.

E is a rock-shaft journaled in bearings formed upon each side of the main frame, said shaft terminating at each end in crankarms 6, at the ends of which are suitably pivoted links c, said links being connected at their. lower ends to the shaft 0 of the cutter, so that by oscillating the rock-shaft in its bearings the cutter may be raised or depressed, as desired.

Fis a hand-lever for manipulating the rockshaft, and f a foot-piece on the same for depressing and holding the roller down by foot power when necessary.

g g are loops or stirrups which are allowed to hang loosely on the main shaft, the purpose ofthe same being to lock the cutter in its elevated or inoperative position, said loops embracing the shaft 0 of the cutter and carrying the blades clear of the ground.

H H are feet or guides connected with the main frame for thepurpose of guiding the stalks to the cutter, and H is the usual drivers seat. It is a latchfor locking the hand-lever in its retracted position.

The operation of the device is as follows: The loops 9 are unlatched from the shaft 0, so that the cutter normally'rests upon the ground and is ready for ordinary work. If the stalks or other material to be out are of a large or heavy nature, the operator may give additional pressure to the cutters by placing his foot upon the foot-piece f of the hand-lever F, and when he desires to throw the cutter out of operation he operates the hand-lever and may look the same in the latch h.

This natural operation of depressing the roller by foot-power is found to be much more advantageous than where locking means are employed,'for the reason that when slight obstructions are encountered the foot gives and permits the roller'to clear the same, whereas when any rigid means is employed a shock or jar to the machine is experienced, and great damage to the same is the result.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with the main supporting arched axle, of hangers depending therefrom and forming bearings, a' cutter-shaft journaledin said hangers, a rock-shaft journaled to the main frame, a hand-lever upon said rock-shaft, a foot-piece on the hand-lever, a catch for locking the hand-lever when the cutters are raised, a bracket extending from the main frame and embracing the hangers to reinforce the same, and a link connecting the cutter-shaft with the rock-shaft for raising or depressing the cutters.

2. In a device of the character described, a main supporting arched axle, a cutter, vertical bearings depending from the arched axle, a cutter-shaft journalcd in said bearings, a rock-shaft journaled on the main frame, a

to link connecting the rock-shaft and cuttershaft, a hand-lever on the rock-shaft for operating the same, a foot-piece on the hand-le- 

